Lamont Lays Down His Law In 1st Meeting

February 28, 1992|By Alan Solomon, Chicago Tribune.

SARASOTA, FLA. — Gene Lamont`s first address to the assembled troops as manager of the White Sox Thursday was brief and direct.

``What I tried to impress upon them is we`ve got to focus on becoming a team, so at the end of the season, we`re playing for something,`` Lamont said during the session, held in right field at Ed Smith Stadium.

He also went over the few club rules. Among the changes this year, as had been promised earlier: a curtailment of players` kids` access to the clubhouse during the season, ending a condition that in recent years had both been a distraction and potentially dangerous.

``That`s the way it`s got to be,`` Lamont said. ``I love my kids as much as anybody, but when you go to work, there`s some things you`ve got to concentrate on.``

The response to the speech was positive. Said Bobby Thigpen: ``It was good, basic, to the point: Show up on time, hustle and let`s have fun.``

Early start: Pitchers threw batting practice for the first time, and some, certainly Jack McDowell, looked ready to go. ``Every pitch was low and away, on the black,`` said Robin Ventura, who didn`t seem to mind being overmatched in February.

``I`m impressed,`` said pitching coach Jackie Brown, still learning his personnel. ``Everything you say, they listen. They dissect it-but they listen, and that`s good.``

Sosa talk: Among the clubs who, along the way, had discussions about Sammy Sosa: the Cubs. They were very preliminary. ``Larry (Himes) had some interest,`` said Sox GM Ron Schueler. ``I didn`t like his equal-value thought, though.``

Remembering Yawkey: Carlton Fisk, who grew up in the Boston organization, didn`t know Jean Yawkey well but liked her and was saddened by her death.

``I met her, I talked to her, we had dinner in their version of the Bard`s Room, and she seemed like a nice lady. The thing she tried to do when she took control of the club was to carry on for Mr. (Tom) Yawkey, and that`s a tough burden. I don`t know if she accomplished that or not, but the Yawkey name stayed. That was probably the most important thing.``

Ticket time: Sox single-game tickets, including a limited number for Opening Day, go on sale Saturday at Comiskey Park and through the usual outlets.